Festive Fall Vest for DS

Here is a Ravelry link to the project.

As per usual, I can't get pictures to do the yarn justice.  Though Little Guy's adorable face should make up for that.  *smirk*  Yes, I am a biased mommy...  Why do you ask?  *laugh*



There are a bunch more pics on Flickr.  I just posted the one I liked best of LG.  *laugh*

Pattern:#407 Chris Woven Yoke Vest by Schaefer Design
From the 2012 Knitting Calendar

Made for:DS Will

Size:12-18 Months

Needles:US 6 - 4.0 mm
US 7 - 4.5 mm

Yarn:
Fresh From the Cauldron MCN Worsted in Ares Colorway
About 1 skeins = 185.0 yards (169.2m)
Purchased at:
Fresh From The Cauldron
Purchase date:
May 2, 2011

I love the Ares colorway by Fresh from the Cauldron and wanted to make something for the Little Guy with it.  The colors scream fall though I don't know if it will be big enough for him to wear come fall. 

I have been watching to the Round the Twist videocast.  Carin, the host, has deemed 2012 the year of the sweater and has invited others to KAL with her.  I decided I wanted to push myself.  So one of my 2012 goals is to knit four sweaters.  One for DH, DS, DD and DD's 18" doll.  This is the first sweater done.  And certainly not too soon!  I fear it probably won't fit him next year.  But it fits him perfectly.  And luckily the temperatures have dropped so he might get a few wearings out of it.  *crosses fingers*

I tried to use this for another vest that just kept going horribly wrong.  So I frogged it. 

I kept praying that there is enough yarn to finish the vest.  Problem was that is says 1 skein of Chris which is 220 yards.  FFtC is 185 yards.  *gulp*  Luckily some amazing folks offered to share their Ares, so I could have finished it.  Hooray for knitters.

It came out wonderfully.  It looks adorable.  And just in time too.  The vest will probably only fit for the rest of the spring.  *sigh*  But I might have to take up an offer to buy some Ares and make another one in a bigger size as I have a bit left from the 12-18 size.

I love the Chris yarn too.  So I might have to get a couple skeins and make a larger one at a later date!

I also really need to take pics of my socks.  They were another 2012 goal I have met.  They look wonderful, but I haven't photographed them or worn them yet.  I really should since the lovely FftC folks are having a 2012 KAL that ends in April.  I keep debating if I could actually finish another object for that one.  I don't know...but it is tempting to try!  I have long been debating making a Clapotis with some FftC yarn.  Thoughts?  Crazy to think I can complete that in a month with everything else on the table...  But I think it is a quick knit by most accounts.

On the 2012 goals, I also have done some spinning!  Woohoo!  I have the Bullseye Bump I got on my wheel.  I have only done about a half ounce to an ounce tops.  But it is lovely.  Again, I should take some pics.  I had high hopes of getting some spinning in last night.  But Little Guy is sick and was fussy most of the evening.  So there wasn't a chance to pull out the wheel.  *pout*

Also, because Little Guy was sick, I didn't get to do a bunch of car knitting.  That was my hope.  I wish he wasn't a drippy mess.  He was miserable on Saturday night/Sunday morning.  But luckily, he is doing better today.  I am hopeful that tomorrow will mean he is back to 100% okay.  *crosses fingers*  I am sure the sweater helped him feel better.  How can you not when you look so dapper?  *grin*

Knitting While Away

Given I was traveling to Arizona, I took lots of knitting.  I wanted plane knitting and conference knitting.  Conference knitting has to be something super simple that I can knit under the table.  Plane knitting can require more attention and focus.

Of course, I was winding yarn at 12:30 am Friday night into Saturday morning I was leaving. I had to be up at 3:30 am to get to my 6:30 flight.  Whee...  I know...not my brightest move...  *laugh*

I decided to go with the Holden Shawlette by Mindy Wilkes (rav link) for the Unique Sheep Luxe in the Tudor gradient colorway.  I was leaning towards the Aeolian Shawl by Elizabeth Freeman but I think the yarn will be too busy and you will end up loosing the details which seems silly for the pattern & yarn.  The beauty of the Holden is that I can repeat the edging as many times as I have yarn for.  So that helps.

It calls for a size 6 needle. So I brought a size 6 with me.  Not a 5 or 7.  Just a 6.  I started it on the plane.  And it looked too loose for my liking.  I kept trying.  I knit some more.  I stopped.  I decided that I would try to get a size 5 while I was out with a friend that day.  But I didn't.  So I tried to knit a bit more, seeing if I could convince myself that it would block out well and look good.

So I knit some more.  And stared at it.  Pulled it a bit.  Tried to justify it on the size 6 needles.  Thinking maybe the yarn will plump up when I block it...  *laugh*  Yeah, I know...

I knit on the vest for the Little Guy (rav link) for a while, hoping letting it sit would convince me it was the right thing to knit it on the 6s.  But the more I thought about it, the more I knew, I wouldn't be happy with it.  It just needed to be ripped out and knit on a smaller gauge needle if I would be happy with it.  *sigh*

Of course after finally committing to the Holden, I was looking for something else and found the Bitterroot pattern.  Now I am wondering if that wouldn't be a better fit. *laugh*  Decisions, decisions...

I did a lot of the vest under the table at conference.  It was going well.  And then...  I realized that I copied the same side of one sheet twice!  So I didn't have the last quarter of the pattern!!  *laugh*  Okay...  Thank goodness I brought more to knit right?!

So I cast on the Phoebe Sweater for my Eldest Munchkin.  It is a bottom-up seamless cardigan.  I *love* seamless sweaters.  *smile*  It is a super simple knit and ideal for conference knitting.  So I put a pretty good dent in that.

I decided I wanted to cast on my socks that I brought as well.  I decided to go with the Midnight Sky pattern - non-rav link with really large pic if you click on it  (Ravelry Link).  I got the pattern from the Decadently Dark club I was in a while back.  I couldn't lay my hands on the pattern and the designer was sweet enough to send me a new copy which is very cool of her as it is a pay pattern.  It is a beautiful pattern and I always think that it is good to support patterns that haven't been done to death.  It says three projects on Ravelry.  One the test knit.  The other says in progress with the yarn from the club (which I got in Aug. 2009). The last the one I started.

Posting mine is probably a bit of a joke.  Why you ask?  Because I have cast on the stitches for 1 1/2 socks.  Yes.  Not even all the stitches yet.  *laugh*  Mind you, when I am doing the two socks on two circs I always seem to have trouble getting the cast-on right!  *laugh*  I generally end up sliding one set of stitches on to something else because I have cast on the second one incorrectly.  Which I hate to admit is what is holding up the progress.  And since I wasn't at home I didn't have other needles to put it onto. Though I did have some stitch holders, so honestly, I could have done it...  Though I think what added to my procrastination is that I don't think two socks on two circs are great plane knitting.  Too many needles to make the person sitting next to you nervous.

Though if I had realized the seat between me and the other person would be open, I would have finished casting them on so I could knit them on the plane.  But with my luck, if I had them in my carry on, I would bet someone would have been in that middle seat.  *laugh*  So better left in my checked baggage!  *grin*

So as things stand, I have about 75% of the vest done for LG.  About 40-50% of the Phoebe sweater done for EM (it is the project I have been knitting on since getting home).  0.005% of the socks for me done.  0% of the shawl done.  Whee.

Much to my joy, I got a little spinning done last weekend...  A very little.  But I am so thrilled I got any done at all!  I pulled out a sample I got from an order I placed to test out my skills.  I am happy to report that muscle memory is a wonderful thing.  After only a bit of trial, it was looking about as good as my spinning ever looks.  I am not an expert spinner by any means.  But it was fairly decent.

So I pulled out the Bullseye Bump I got.  It is so wonderful to spin.  I am still debating if I will just knit this as a single or if I am going to Navajo ply it.  I *never* knit with singles I have spun.  I am not that strong a spinner so my singles are uneven in tension.  Plying helps balance that out.  But since I am planning to make a simple scarf for Elanor with this, it might be okay.  Some odd bias to it could be fun & funky.  We will see when I get the single spun how thick it is.  Because the bump has various fibers mixed in like recycled sari silk and such, it is unpredictable.  But I think Elanor will love the colors and the sparkle in it.

I am hoping to have some knitting time in the car this Sunday.  *crosses fingers*  As always, that will all depend on the kids...  But with any luck, maybe I can take a second try at the shawl.  Let's hope.  *smile*  Though I will also see if I can finish casting on my socks as they might also be nice car knitting.  But who knows...  I do wonder if trying to get two pairs of socks done in a year isn't a rather grand idea.  *laugh*  I recall knitting a pair of socks every month to two.  What a laughable idea these days... *chuckle*

I was just looking at my WIPs and realized I really should pick up the Flora Dress (rav link).  Because if I don't finish that quickly, it isn't going to fit Eldest Munchkin and I will just have to frog the whole thing.  I should check that it even fits her anymore.  I checked a couple months back but she has this nasty habit of continuing to grow.  *laugh*

In a Ravelry thread I read about updates for a yarn dyer I love, someone mentioned not having knitting time with kids which definitely seems true.  But she also said that she built her stash to save for retirement.  It seems like a fine idea to me.  Though to contrast that, I also caught up on the Yarn Harlot's blog.  And her post about how she only keeps things if she really loves them seems like a good policy.  But then again, I don't get given yarn or fiber as she does.  *laugh*  So 95% of the stuff I bought.  And the gifts I got I love.  There are some things I bought because they were cheap.  Like some acrylic I got for trying up yarn when I was dyeing my own what seems like ages ago...  Some is about it being cheap.  Which with the kids...  So I don't think I need to love all my yarn.  But I do need to think it is useful.  Mind you, there are more things I find useful these days with the kids.  So I suspect I won't be doing much culling should it ever actually get the time to do it.

I have a ton of work to do.  It has been a crazed week.  I have been up til 1 or 2 twice this week with work.  *sigh*  Best I get some done though I really just want a nap.  Ah well.  No rest for the wicked...or at least want to be wicked.  *chuckle*

More Yarn Vs. Pattern Stall

In my knitting stall part two, we have the Unique Sheep Luxe in Gradient Tudor Colorway in the Bigfoot Size (6 oz/600 Yards).  The beads are the Beadsmith/Jabonex Czech 6/0 beads in the Heavy Metal mix.  They look like metal in their finish.  Kinda cool.

Now, the Tudor name of course has me wanting to do something Tudor with it.  But they didn't actually have shawls from what I understand.  Elizabeth loved her knit stockings, but not the same. 

I started wondering if I could chart a Tudor Rose into the pattern somehow.  *shakes head*  Yes, I know I am insane.  It is true.

The beauty is that in theory I could do something that takes some more attention.  I have the flight to and from Arizona for conference.  I would say I had time in the evenings, but I know that never works out.

Holden Shawlette

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/holden-shawlette

What I am leaning towards most currently.  That could change easily.  People have already done variations with beads.  And it is pretty simple.  With the yarn, beads and my brain, simple repeats might be a better idea!

Reading Shawl aka the 'stay put' shawl

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/reading-shawl-aka-the-stay-put-shawl

I confess I am still toying with using this one.  I thought about adding a Tudor rose pattern to the panels.  But I haven't gotten further than toying with that idea.  I could chart it out.  But given I am hoping to start the shawl on the plane out to conference, I would need to get on that soon.  I leave crack of dawn Saturday.  *gulp*

Aeolian Shawl

http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEspring09/KSPATTaeolian.php

This had been the clear favorite.  Until I started looking at the yarn.  And the pattern.  The yarn has two colors in each skein.  I don't know why, but I was thinking it was going from one color to the next.  It isn't.  So there might be too much contrast which means you would loose the pattern all together which seems a waste.  Also, soooo not wanting to deal with nubbs.  Think that one deserves a solid or at least a yarn with a straight color progression.

Semi-Precious Shawl -

http://knitty.com/ISSUEdf11/KSPATTsemiprecious.php

I have looked at this one a few times.  Not sure if it is simply that the pics look so lovely or what.  But I like that it is customizable so I can tweak it for the yarn.  Though that one keeps making me want to spin it as that is what the pattern is written for.  But again, would need to figure out how and where to add beads.

Easy Triangular Shawl

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/easy-triangular-shawl

Still thinking about this one...  There are beads in the edging.  And I could add more if I wanted to the triangles.  Would need to scale it down as the pattern says 820 yards.  Though two of the projects used 700.  I only have 600 or so.

Eliina Shawl

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/eliina-shawl

This was a serious contender for a while.  Then I realized it involved crochet.  And while it is *possible* I will try crochet, I really don't want to have spent hours and hours knitting a shawl to mess up the crochet edging!

Honorable Mentions -

Shipwreck Shawl

http://knitty.com/ISSUEspring09/PATTshipwreck.php

I actually toyed with the idea of trying to convert this to a semi-circle.  Am I on crack?!

Undine

http://www.spinningmartha.de/epages/61920259.sf/de_DE/?ObjectPath=/Shops/61920259/Categories/Anleitungen/Undine

For another yarn, I think I need to try this one.  But I don't think it would work and certainly no way to add beads.

Vlad

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/vlad

Actually got this pattern from the vamp club.  But seems like too much pattern and I have this bead fixation currently.

EZ 100th Anniversary Gull Wings Half-Circle

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/ez-100th-anniversary-gull-wings-half-circle

Again, not this yarn or beads.  But this is tempting me.  Yes, I know that is crazy talk...  I am aware. *grin*

So many choices, so little time!

Suggestions

I seem to have stalled.  I have lovely, yummy yarn.  I have wonderful beads.  And can't figure out what pattern I want to make.  I keep looking, but not getting that definitive "that's it!" moment.  It is odd.

Mind you, I know this is sleep dep at work.  So I am not stunned.  But still, I wanna make the pretty.  *chuckle*

So I am turning to the knitters I know and soliciting thoughts, votes, alternatives.

Okay.  Yarn 1 is the Lady Bianca by Storied Yarns.  A colorway dyed especially for me.  Love it so much that it needs to be on the needles!  Red with some black, purple & blues.  The beads are a red mix with some more copper, clear & iridescent ones.

I want to make socks.  I stung the beads as the idea of having loose beads on a project that I want to knit in front of the tv and on weekends seemed like a bad one.  So they are on there.  Plenty of beads.  More than enough for socks.  And btw, if you need to string beads, it is sooo much simpler with the pre-strung beads.   Took no time at all.  I did it while waiting for things to load in my database one night.

I think all the patterns have to be changed from cuff down to toe-up if I want to make toe-up socks which I prefer.  But the Rain Drops might have to be cuff-down because of the pattern.

Here are the possible patterns.

Gothic Windows:

http://tresjolieknitting.blogspot.com/2011/03/gothic-windows-sock-pattern.html

Problem.  The pattern doesn't have beads so I would need to figure out how to add them.

Looking Glass from Walker First Treasury:

This is a stitch pattern.  Even started charting it to figure out how to do it in the round.  Can't find a pic of it.  Sorry.

Queen of Beads:

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/queen-of-beads-the-gloves

This is actually a glove modification based off a pay sock pattern that I don't own.  And given my issues with Blue Moon Fibers, I will not give them money for the sock pattern.  Mind you, between experience and the glove pattern, I could probably figure it out.  But I don't know about doing that...

Rain Drops Beaded Socks:

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/rain-drops-beaded-socks

The beading in this requires slipping the bead onto the stitch with a crochet hook.  And I am not up for that.  I have read it and tried to think how to work it with the beads strung.  But I can't get my head around it.  See sleep dep.  *laugh*

Midnight Sky:

Ravelry - http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/midnight-sky

Or Non-Rav - http://www.bopeepswoolshop.com/zencart/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=115

Own the pattern as I was in the yarn club.  Haven't actually used it.  Wish the photos had more detail.  At the moment, it might be the one I am leaning towards because it requires the least amount of tweaking.  And I like making patterns by designers I like.  Renee is pretty cool.  And I got to provide input on the colorways for the Decadently Dark Sock Club. Also, I couldn't track down my pattern and she offered to resend it to me.  So that is cool.  I wish the photos were better on Ravelry honestly.  It is hard to see what the pattern will really look like.  And I would be flipping the pattern to get it to work toe-up.

River Rock:

http://www.siviaharding.com/patterns/river_rock_scarf/

I am thinking about taking this pattern and adapting it to socks.  Given the yarn colorway is a vampire, like the idea of them looking like blood droplets.  It is the same reason that the Rain Drops appeal.  That look of blood.  Yah, I was a goth in my younger years.  Why do you ask?  *smirk*

Okay.  I have to scoot home.  So only one yarn for today.  Maybe I will share the shawl/ette insanity tomorrow...  *grin*

Mind you, I am desperately trying not to cast these socks on until I have the sock on my needles done.  Though I would say they are about 75% done.  So that is good.

Lady Bianca & Mad about Beads

A pic of the lovely...



Yum!!  I didn't capture it well.  Normally, pics come out too dark.  The pics of the Lady Bianca by Storied Yarns all came out too light.  I tried to tweak them but didn't quite capture it well. 

I don't know why I went a little bead crazy...  *blush*  I got beads for this yarn, the yet to be shipped Unique Sheep one & some for a project that is a gift for a non-knitter.  The present was finished being knit eons ago. I was waiting to add some beads to the fringe.  I think it will look cute.  I got some mixed purple beads for that.  Though there will be a lot leftover.

Though why I am thinking beaded socks with the Lady Bianca & a beaded shawl with the Unique Sheep Tudor gradient yarn is beyond me.  *shrugs*  Not saying I won't do it.  Just that it is kinda crazy!  *laugh*

Don't have a set pattern in mind for either yet.  If anyone has thoughts, shout out.  I have been looking at shawl patterns since ordering the Tudor gradient yarn.  It is 700 yard of their Luxe, which is merino/silk.  Yum.  The beads are glass but are a metallic finish in bronze, greens & purples.

The Lady Bianca is superwash/nylon. I figured something like droplets of blood might be very cool.  But I also wanted something that would stand out.  So I went with a mix of colors...reds, amber, purple.  The other two beads I was fairly certain on.  These less so.  But I think they should work. 

Little guy finally work for his last feeding.  Gotta go...  Then sssslllllleeeeeepppppp!

Happy Happy Joy Joy!!

My Small Surprise Package from Storied Yarns arrived today!! 

It was really terrific.  I loved it.  The theme was "Vampy Valentine".  I don't want to give away everything in it in case someone decides to get one.  But I do want to share some highlights.

Everything in the box was wrapped in tissue paper & had yarn around it like ribbon.  It has a slight shimmer to it so it was perfect for the wrapping.

Jess was great.  Everything was well thought out and wonderful.  She really seemed to have nail it down. 

My fav, of course, was the yarn!  Oh my!  *sighs*  It is beautiful.  I need to take some pics and share when it is daylight so as to catch all the colors.  But the colorway is dead on for me.  Deep, darks reds, black, a bit of purple...  Yum.

And the lovely's name?  "Lady Bianca".  It is from the Dresden Files.  I mentioned that I loved her Harry colorway.   Of course now I am wondering if she is named after the Bianca from the books or the tv series. I would lean towards the tv ones given she is so lovely (played by Joanne Kelley from Warehouse 13).  But "Lady" I would think would refer more to her as she is a madame in the books.  Though she is pretty much pure evil in the books.  But honestly, I am not sure.

I watched a little bit of an episode with Bianca on Netflix.  I do miss the Dresden Files show.

Back to the yarn, it was dyed especially for me.  Jess said that if I didn't like it to let her know as she would gladly take it back as she really liked it.  Not a chance she is getting it back!  So yummy.

Now, of course, there will be the pattern search.  And the question, shawlette or socks?  It is so yummy I want to share with the world, so that cries shawlette.  But socks get worn more. And there is a lot to be said for that...  Soooo....  Decisions decisions!

*takes another nibble of the super yummy chocolate that came with it and gets back to work!*

Should Be Working...

I hate days like this.  I should be working but 100 other things are running through my brain.  Mind you, the thing I need to get out requires someone sent me something *last week* which I still do not have.  *growl*

But the happy happy news is the Small Surprise Package from Storied Yarns has shipped!  I am sooo excited.  It had been a while since I splurged on something just for me.  (Of course, I think I went a bit overboard last paycheck between this and my Unique Sheep order. *blushes*)

Do you ever have projects that just tell you "No, I am not to be."?  Saturday, DH was away for the day with friends.  It is a yearly thing he loves doing.  I decided for some reason I have yet to determine, that meant I should cast on a new project.  *blink*

I had said I want to try to knit four sweaters within the year.  I added this to my goals for the year.  I figured if I started with the sweater for Little Guy, it would be easy.  And you know, it should have been...really...

I did a Ravelry pattern search and found a cute vest pattern - Baby Partridge Vest by Jennifer Burke.  Cast on, got the ribbing done.  Then went to start the stitch pattern.  Scratched my head a lot.  Checked Ravelry.  Found that there was errata for it.  But come on.  It is a pdf!  I really don't understand why they don't correct the pattern and repost it.  It makes no sense with a pdf.

But I cast on again.  The correct number of stitches.  I get to the pattern repeat.  Do a few rows.  Way too busy for the yarn.  I thought that it would help but it made the wild colors worse.  So I ripped back.  Tried to put it back on the needles.  Managed to drop one of the stitches which I didn't notice until I started knitting the row.  *sigh*  Started tinked back to the start of the row.  Got about half way and decided it was insane.  I only had 1" of ribbing.  Just start over.

So I made another attempt.  During the last go round, Little Guy grabbed the needle cable and pulled it out.  I didn't have any 24" ones left.  So I decided to magic loop it with my 40" one as my 32" also have disintegrated. 

I don't know why they all decided to fail recently. I am kinda hoping that Knit Picks has improved the design in the five years or so ago I bought them.  Mind you, if I complained to customer service I suspect they would send me new ones at no cost as they did about six months after I got the first set.  But I don't like doing that as they have been used a lot.  So I can't blame them for it.

So I am magic looping.  I do this all the time.  I noticed something was a bit odd.  But I just thought it was a gap between the points where I start the needle.  No biggie.  Do a little patch.  Fine.

I figure it is time to start the body.  Look at the stitches on each side.  They aren't even.  *blink*  Really?!?

Somehow I managed to knit back a row on the same side!!  *shakes head*  So there weren't the same number of rows knit on half the stitches.  *bangs head against desk*  Really??!  Yep.  Really.

I went to rip it out.  And pulled the cable from the 40" one.  *groan*  Really?!

It was a sign.  I ripped it out.  Put the yarn aside.  Out of sight.

Score one for Ares, the god of war.  Yes.  I am knitting a baby/toddle sweater out of a colorway named after the god of war.  Perhaps it is trying to tell me something.

Though I still have the yarn set aside and am thinking about using it for the Chris Woven Yoke Vest .  Me, crazy...  Why do you ask?!  *grin*

Feeling Proud

So I am feeling proud!  I have actually attached buttons to four items.  Thus I have met one 2012 goal!  Hooray!

Of course, DH suggested I modify the goal to be that I have fewer items missing buttons by the end of the year than at the beginning.  I actually think that is a fair goal.  So I would like to end the year with three items or less needing buttons.  I hope to do it.

I pulled out another sweater I know needs buttons.  And discovered it needs *nine* buttons.  Of course I don't *have* nine matching buttons.  *sigh*  So I will have to buy those.

Though I did buy new buttons for the Cardigan for Merry one.  *Still* wish Eldest Munchkin could have worn that one given it was knit for her.  But her little brother should look very cute in it.  So I think I need to get it done sooner rather than later.  Needs the i-cord loops and the toggle buttons sewn on to it.

Of course for the purse missing the button for years now, I finally figured out what button I want for it.  And of course, I have lost the button I really want to put on it again!  *sigh*  It is kinda ridiculous!  It is for a friend I will be seeing in March, so I am hoping to give it to her when I see her.  So that gives me about a month to do it.

I didn't realize just how tiny the button hole for the Aviatrix Hat was!  It is tiny.  So I am betting it won't get undone much.  I am so happy that there was this adorable gold star one that my MIL gave me in a wonderful box of buttons that she gave me last Xmas.

 

For the Baby Jacket with Moss Stitch Edges, I decided to only add buttons for the top three holes.  The spacing on the buttons was weird.  So that it doesn't actually have a hole in the middle of the bottom edging.  So it would have looked wrong if I put them all on there.  Still wondering why I did that.  *shrugs*  But it looks cute with the top three.  Though heaven knows it may only look cute to a knitter now that I am thinking about it.  *chuckle*

On the sweater goal I added, I am debating.  I really don't want to buy more yarn.  I purchased enough for sweaters for the kids and have the yarn for DH.

I am tempted to start with the Little Guy first.  Waffles for Brunch Sweater or the Idaho pullover hoodie are the two that are tempting me most for him.  The detractor from the Idaho is that it is sewn pieces.  And I really loathe that.  But the flipside is that the detailing makes it looks cute and thus requires pieces.  So that has more appeal.

I have five skeins of Berroco Vintage Chunky in Dungaree, Black Cherry & Dried Plum.  I couldn't decide between the Black Cherry & Dried Plum for Elanor so I got both.  But the Dungaree & Black Cherry could look very cool for the Idaho one.  Thoug of course with the name I wish the Daddy's Little Helper Jean Jacket was in bulky instead of DK.  *smile*  Of course being me, I keep wondering if I could modify the pattern...  I say that with a half finished Mary Jane slipper on my needles that is supposed to be for Elanor...  *laugh*

I resisted the urge to cast either on over the weekend.  It was hard, but I am only about a quarter to a third of the way in on my socks.  And I want to finish them sooner than later. 

I am still debating patterns.  So many choices.  Any suggestions are welcome.

Though I have spent way too much time debating patterns for yarn that hasn't even been dyed yet.  It is the Tudor colorway in Luxe by the Unique Sheep that I ordered.  I have been looking as shawl/ettes.  That sort of colorway needs to be seen!  I am thrilled they said the colorway would retain its depth.  I decided to increase the quantity to the Bigfoot which is one and a half skeins, so 600 yards total.

Of course, when I think I will have the time to knit a shawl...  *laugh*  So I am delusional.  So sue me.  *grin*

Though then again, I am going to conference in Arizona in March.  That gives me knitting time on the plane and while waiting at the airport at the very least.  Last conference I was able to knit DH Kindle Cozy under the table and that one was more condensed.  So you never know what I might be able to do with this conference. Though I have my doubts a shawl is under the table knitting.  *chuckle*  Though given my socks are on two circs, they are even *less* suited to it!  *grin*

Best I get some work done.  Whee.

Dangerous...

I am gonna blame this all on Silvercat...  Yah yah, that's the ticket. *smirk*

We got talking about Fresh from the Cauldron as the dyer is doing a yarn series soon that we both are drooling about...  It is something I won't mention in public as the dyer Jenn isn't doing it as a yarn club with spots or such. She will just be doing a store update at some date in the future. So I don't want to give it more press in a public place (feel free to email me if you know me).  (Not that I really think anyone reads my blog other than family and 1-2 fiber friends at best...  *chuckle*)

Jenn is an amazing dyer.  I have been lucky enough (with Silvercat's help) to get some of Jenn's yummy yarns.  I really love them.  *sigh*  I am currently knitting her Merino, cashmere & nylon fingering and *loooovvviiinggg* it.  So yummy.  

But the waiting leads to wanting. And the colorways for the line I want aren't even in the samples to make us drool stage yet.  And today is payday.  A dangerous set of events.  *sigh*

Silvercat got me looking at a bunch of the indie dyers she likes.  She has some really good yarn porn!

One she mentioned liking is Storied Yarns.  The dyer Jessica does some wonderful colorways. And she has something called the "Surprise Package full of Yarn OR Fibery Goodness".  There was a small & a large.  It is fiber plus goodies.  I couldn't resist.  I got the small box.  There is just something irresistible about a box of goodies all wrapped & customized for me.

Jessica sent a questionnaire with all sort of questions about what I like in terms of color, fiber, edibles, & fragrances.  She also asked about what books, movies & tv shows I like.  I probably babbled too much.  But you know how that goes if you are reading this. *laugh*

I really can't wait, but know I must.  In a way though, the anticipation makes it all the better.  *grin*  I am really excited.

Oh, and as if to say I had to order from her, Jessica has a Harry Dresden colorway which is spot on for Dresden.  Lovely black, grey & brown.  Perfect Harry colors.  (Might need to get that for DH sometime...)

And because I just can't seem to help myself...  Silvercat has been talking about her Evenstar shawl.  She is doing it in the most stunning colorway by Unique Sheep. They are pretty amazing dyers and dye to order.  Her Evenstar got me looking at their colorways.

This one just screamed "You must own me!"

The name of this lovely?  Tudor.  See...  How could I not??

They have their Luxe yarn base in stock.  It is 25% Tussah Silk, 75% Superwash Merino.  *happy sigh*  I am a total silk junkie!

I did write in the notes that if they didn't think the silk could hold that saturation of color, I could change base yarns.  I would rather have it in the superwash base if the color will not be deep & rich.

Of course, since that is custom dyeing I won't see it for up to three weeks.  But given I have the socks on the needles and wanting to also cast on a sweater, a wait is not a terrible thing!  *laugh*

I confess part of me is also thinking the Tudor yarn needs beads.  I don't know why other than perhaps looking at the lovely Evenstars with beads.  Of course Carin from Round the Twist made one so that got me looking at beading again as being so lovely.  And of course there is the stunning shawl my knitting goddess SIL made for me.  I don't know if you can see any beads in the pics, but they are there and so lovely.

Of course, I don't have a pattern yet.  And I can't get too crazy with the pattern otherwise with mommy brain and lack of knitting time, it will never actually get done.  So I have to choose wisely.  *smile*

Best to get to bed!!  Should have been asleep hours ago...  Though the Little Guy didn't fall asleep til about an hour and change ago.  Whee.  Night night!

That Carin Has Me Thinking about Goals Again...

I swear, I should stop watching Carin's Round the Twist podcast because it keeps inspiring me to take on things!! *laugh*

She has been saying it is the year of the sweater for her.

I kept saying she is a faster knitter than I am...  But of course, hearing it again, the thoughts crept in...maybe I can do this.

So long as kids sweaters count, I think I am in.

My goal is to knit a sweater *and* put on the buttons on a sweater for DH, DD & DS as well as the 18" doll my DD has.  So four sweaters in a year.   *gulp*

And if I push myself, I should figure out what to do with the alpaca cardigan (rav link) I started for myself in deep hibernation.  It is too small for me at my current size.  I should decide what to do with it.  *sigh*  I am so not good about ripping projects with this much done and don't think the alpaca will do well with that.

For DH I have some sport weight yarn heather grey yarn I bought for him to make a sweater ages ago.  I said it would get started after I finished mine.  Hardly fair to hold to that given the deep freeze my sweater is in.

I have at least a half dozen sweaters queued for DD.  I have a book to make a matching one for her 18" doll.  I haven't decided if I just want to scale down a sweater or use one from Knits for Girls & Dolls book I got.  Though in looking at patterns for DS, I discovered the Phoebe's Sweater I have been wanting to get is in the weight of yarn I have already bought... Hmmm...  Could be a sign.  It comes with a doll pattern as well.  Though it might be small and need tweaking but of course in checking Ravelry someone has already posted the needed mods (another rav link).

DS is only 10 months old.  So of course I am thinking about taking the coward's way out and knitting his first.  *laugh*  But then again, DD loves anything knit for her and doubly so if the doll has one too.  Soo....  Decisions decisions!